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How to apply

man applying for a job

On this page you will find some simple steps explaining how to apply to permanent and temporary positions in the EU civil service.

Please bear in mind that each EU institution and body has its own recruitment procedures.

EPSO’s mandate focuses on personnel selection and, accordingly, on the organisation of selection procedures.

See also how to apply to other types of contracts and Seconded national experts.

To apply for a competition for a permanent EU official position
  • Consult our open selection procedures to find a competition that matches your academic and professional profile best. You can also check Upcoming selection procedures  to see competitions planned for publication in the coming months.
  • Follow all the instructions and read all the important documents, especially the Notice of Competition.
  • Once you click on “Apply“ you will be prompted to log in to the Single Candidate Portal via EU Login, and you will be able to start your application. If you don't have an EU Login Account yet, you should create one. The EU Login is essential to access the Portal.
  • Then you will be able to fill and validate the specific application form for your competition. Make sure to check the application deadline (available on the dedicated webpage of the competition).
  • Once your validated application is registered by EPSO, all communication will be managed through the Single Candidate Portal. You can also subscribe on the dedicated webpage of the competition to receive notifications by e-mail every time the webpage is updated by EPSO.
  • If you pass the relevant selection tests you will go into a reserve list (database of successful candidates), used by EU institutions and bodies for their specific recruitment needs.
To apply for a contract agent position (Contract Agent Selection Tool - CAST)
  • Consult Contract Staff (CAST Permanent) and select the profile that fits your academic and professional profile best. You will find a list of profiles at the bottom of that webpage.
  • Click on “get started” at the bottom of the homepage. You will be redirected to the dedicated webpage of the profile you chose.
  • Follow all the instructions and read all the important documents, especially the Call for Expressions of Interest.
  • Once you click on the “Apply“ you will be asked to log onto your unique EPSO Account and you will be able to start your registration. If you don't have an EPSO Account yet, you will be able to create your unique EPSO Account once you click on “Apply”.
  • Then you will be able to register in the CAST database by filling an application form.
  • Please note that registering in the CAST database does not mean that you will be automatically invited by EPSO to sit the relevant selection tests. Only candidates invited formally to participate in this selection procedure by one of the recruiting services of the EU institutions and bodies EPSO works for, will be able to sit the relevant tests organised by EPSO.
  • Invitations for tests and other useful information is published in your EPSO Account. You can also subscribe on the dedicated webpage of the CAST profile to receive notifications by e-mail every time the webpage is updated by EPSO.
  • If you pass the relevant selection tests organised by EPSO you will be invited by the EU institutions and bodies concerned for further selection procedures (e.g. an interview), in line with their specific recruitment needs.
  • With or without having passed successfully the relevant selection tests you can also apply directly to a contract agent job vacancy (Job vacancies). However, please note that the EU institutions and bodies will only be able to hire candidates after they have passed the CAST selection tests organised by EPSO.
To apply for a temporary agent position
  • Consult Job vacancies and search for a selection of positions announced by different EU institutions and bodies.
  • You can then apply directly to these positions by following the procedures specific to each EU institution and body concerned.
  • Please note that our webpage Job vacancies is not exhaustive and that to find other announcements for temporary agents you should also consult the job webpages of the EU institutions and bodies that interest you.
Interested in applying for a traineeship?

Consult Traineeships. This webpage is a good starting point for all those looking into the opportunity to do a traineeship in an EU institution or body. Please note that EPSO only provides general information on traineeships. If interested, you will have to follow the specific application procedures of each EU institution and body that interests you.